Driving Factors for SME Integration into Global Value Chains: Evidence from Cameroon

This research paper is a novel attempt in response to the growing interest in the internationalization of SMEs and their potential impacts on the economic well-being of the countries in which they operate. The purpose of this study is to identify the main deterring and determinant factors of SMEs’ GVC participation in a developing country, Cameroon. Rooted in the network and cluster theories of internationalization, and drawing from survey data of 209,482 enterprises contained in the 2018 General Registry of Enterprises, collected by the Cameroon National Institute of Statistics, this study conducted hierarchical regression analysis and found that obstacles related to the business environment constitute the most deterring factors to the GVC participation of Cameroonian SMEs. The findings further established coopetition and government support to be key determinant factors in fostering SMEs’ GVC participation. Inspired by these findings, a network construct is proposed, within a quadruple innovation helix setting, to drive the international expansion of SMEs, putting coopetition at the frontline of the expansion strategy. The findings and propositions provide information necessary to empower the managerial strategies of entrepreneurs, and the policy actions of public powers, which will significantly define the future of developing country SMEs in GVCs.